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News and Notes About the A's Upcoming Homestand

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Press Release |

OAKLAND - The first-place Oakland A's look to continue their hot start to the 2014 season, when they welcome the Seattle Mariners, Washington Nationals and Chicago White Sox to the O.co Coliseum for 10 games beginning Monday night.

The homestand opens with a four-game series against division-rival Seattle, led by staff ace Felix Hernandez and newly signed free agent superstar Robinson Cano. The series, which begins Monday, May 5, features a doubleheader on Wednesday, May 7, beginning at 12:35. The second game of the doubleheader is a makeup of the suspended A's-Mariners game from April 4 (although fans must have a May 7 game ticket to attend either game of the doubleheader).

After an off day on May 8, the A's open their 2014 interleague slate with the Washington Nationals' first-ever visit to the O.co Coliseum. Longtime A's pitchers Gio Gonzalez and Jerry Blevins return to the Coliseum as members of a talented young Nationals squad that has averaged more than 90 wins per season the last two years. The A's close out the homestand with three games against Cuban rookie sensation Jose Abreu and the Chicago White Sox from May 12-14.

The homestand features the first fireworks night of the season (The Music of Journey, May 10, presented by XFINITY) and Breast Cancer Awareness Day, presented by Zevia, on Sunday, May 11 (Mother's Day).

Firestone Major League Baseball All-Star Balloting Program: Prior to the game on Tuesday, May 6, A's manager Bob Melvin and Angela Bither, general manager of Don's Tire Services, Inc., will cast the A's first 2014 All-Star ballot in a special pre-game ceremony. This will kick off the 2014 Firestone Major League Baseball All-Star Balloting Program, the largest fan balloting program in professional sports.

Music of Journey Fireworks Night: On Saturday, May 10, the A's and Journey are joining forces for the first fireworks night of the season, presented by XFINITY. Members of Journey will throw out the ceremonial first pitch and sing the national anthem prior to the game, and fans who purchase a special ticket package online at www.athletics.com/journey will receive a limited edition A's and Journey t-shirt. In addition, the music of Journey will be played during the post-game fireworks show, which fans can watch from the outfield grass (on-field capacity is limited).

Breast Cancer Awareness Day, presented by Zevia: The A's 16th Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Day, presented by Zevia, is set for Sunday, May 11, when hundreds of breast cancer survivors will be honored on the field prior to the game and 10,000 fans will receive pink rally towels, presented by Zevia. The event is supported in part by Athena Water, Comerica Bank, Nelson Staffing, and State Roofing Systems of San Leandro. Proceeds from select ticket sales and auction items will be donated to the American Cancer Society, and the A's will honor Pink Access Foundation-a local charity that raises funds to fight cancer in disadvantaged communities-with the 11th annual $5,000 "A Gift of Faith" grant, named after late KTVU reporter Faith Fancher. (See separate media release for more details).

Early Gates for Athletics Batting Practice: Fans are invited to watch 2013 Home Run Derby champion Yoenis Céspedes and the rest of the A's take batting practice prior to the game on Friday, May 9. Stadium gates will open at 4:30 p.m., one hour earlier than the normal time.

Note About the May 7 Doubleheader: While the second game of the May 7 doubleheader is a makeup game from the postponed April 4 game, new game tickets will be required to attend the May 7 game. Tickets from the April 4 game will not be accepted at the ballpark entry gates. Please refer to the Rainout Policy for April 4 ticket exchange privileges at www.athletics.com/rain.

Community Relations

Green Stampede Homework Club: On select games throughout the season, elementary school students will visit O.co Coliseum to receive help with their homework from tutors and aids. An A's player will visit and sign autographs for the students as a way to congratulate them for their hard work. After the students have finished their homework, they are able to sit in the stands and watch the game.

A's Community Fund Silent Auctions: Every Saturday and Sunday home game, the A's Community Fund hosts a silent auction featuring signed and unsigned A's memorabilia as well as game-used items. The silent auctions are located in the A's fan center behind section 120 and end with the last out in the bottom of the 5th inning.

Breast Cancer Awareness Day Fundraising Table: At each game leading up to Breast Cancer Awareness Day on Sunday, May 11, fans will have the opportunity to purchase Breast Cancer Awareness pins ($10), caps ($25) and necklaces ($15), with proceeds benefitting the American Cancer Society and Cancer Prevention Institute of California. Also, the A's once again will be raffling off a custom-made, autographed quilt on Breast Cancer Awareness Day. Fans can purchase raffle tickets for the quilt for $5 each at all games leading up to May 11. The fundraising table will be set up behind Section 120.

Little A's: On Sunday, May 11, as part of the Little A's program, deserving youth and their chaperones of non-profit organizations will have the opportunity to attend an A's game free of charge. In addition to a game ticket, each child receives a Bank of America souvenir and child-admission pass to the Oakland Zoo. The Little A's program is presented by Bank of America and supported by the Oakland Zoo and Clorox.

Home Run Readers Program: On Wednesday, May 14, 3,800 students, teachers and chaperones from 22 area schools will attend the game as a reward for reaching their reading goals. The pregame ceremony will honor four teachers-and two students from each of their schools-with a plaque presentation. In addition, first grade teacher Jessica Posson from Donlon Elementary School will throw out the first pitch, honoring her school's 10th year in the program.